Koru is Maori for “coil” or “loop” and refers to the unfurling of a fern frond. The koru design is common in traditional Maori art, where it symbolizes new life, growth and peace.

When one looks at the 40-long list designs chosen prior to the short list of five flags, there are many with a koru design combined with the colour scheme and even with the stars of the existing flag.

1. The name ‘Koru’ is actually a Maori (indigenous people of New Zealand) term for a coil or a loop which symbolises new life, growth and peace. In fact, the Amazon founder had included a ...

The designs chosen by an independent panel seem to share a few common themes: fern leaves, the Maori koru loop shape and the Southern Cross constellation, for instance.